Review of You Can Count on Me (2000) by Damion R — 02 Jan 2008

For years, I have been wanting to see this highly-revered film about a woman's straight-laced life which goes into disarray upon the return of her drifter brother.

I do see why the wonderful Laura Linney got an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of lost and confused Sammy, but this is one of those films that offer a period of time with characters without having an real resolution or outcome, and these types of films I simply dislike.

You get to the end and the brother leaves, and all that you are left with is questions with no satisfaction. What's the point of watching a film that ends up not being really about anything as nothing gets answered or resolved?

The performcances and direction are wonderful, right down to probably the least-annoying Culkin performance ever captured on film, however, it feels like the film fades to black when there should have been more story, leaving you feeling unsatisfied.